Here’s a fun but important fact: Did you know that the world’s first black military pilot in aviation history was from Somalia? Ahmet Ali Çelikten also known as Arap Ahmet Ali, born in 1883 – 1969 was one of only two known black combat pilots in World War I, the other being Eugene Jacques Bullard. Ahmet’s grandparents had moved from Somaliland to Basra, Iraq. Born by a Romani mother and Somali father, he decided to become a naval officer enrolling in Naval studies both in Somalia and in Germany. After receiving his “wings” in 1914-15, Ahmet achieved notoriety during World War 1, where in November 1916 he went into the record books! This is way before the “Tuskegee Airmen” who flew in World War II. How’s that for a fun but important fact! Read more. 

Here’s a fun but important fact: Did you know that the world’s first black military pilot in aviation history was from Somalia? Ahmet Ali Çelikten also known as Arap Ahmet Ali, born in 1883 – 1969 was one of only two known black combat pilots in World War I, the other being Eugene Jacques Bullard. Ahmet’s grandparents had moved from Somaliland to Basra, Iraq. Born by a Romani mother and Somali father, he decided to become a naval officer enrolling in Naval studies both in Somalia and in Germany. After receiving his “wings” in 1914-15, Ahmet achieved notoriety during World War 1, where in November 1916 he went into the record books! This is way before the “Tuskegee Airmen” who flew in World War II. How’s that for a fun but important fact! Read more. 

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